Program - Q-Summit

Explore the Program
at Q-Summit

From inspiring Speeches and Panels to exciting Pitch Battles and Talent Pitches. From a challenging Hackathon to interactive Workshops.

From promising Speed-Datings to our Innovillage and evening networking events.
At Q-Summit, we surprise our participants with different innovative conference formats each year. Stay tuned!

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Speeches & Panel Discussions

Speeches

Attend our keynote speeches and immerse into the exciting world of entrepreneurs, visionaries and the brightest minds of our future.

During the conference, the lecture hall (SO108) transforms into a huge conference auditorium giving stage to our inspiring speakers. Being founders, VCs or corporates themselves they will provide you with profound insights into this year’s key topics: Innovation of Life Sciences, Green Entrepreneurship and Impact of Innovation.

Any questions left? Our speakers are happy to engage in exciting conversations during the proceeding interactive Q&A-Session.

Panel Discussions

In addition to the energizing speeches, we invite you to participate in our lively panel discussions that will be dedicated to our conference’s key topics.

Our panelists being experts in their respective industry will be sharing their different perspectives on a controversial topic and interchange their ideas with their fellow speakers.

The audience is invited to ask questions and challenge the experts’ statements.

Founder & Expert Talks

This year we shine a spotlight on the stories and experiences of different founders.

The Founder & Expert Talks allow you to get an insight into individual founding-journeys and the development of different business ideas.

On our stage we will feature six founders and experts who will share insider information on the know-how that they have acquired during their careers to date, telling you about their moments of success as well as their precipitations.

This new conference format at Q-Summit 2020 is designed to provide a wide variety of perspectives featuring the stories of young founders in their early stages as well as of experienced entrepreneurs.

Pitch Battles

Q-Summit Pitch Contest

It’s your chance: The Q-Summit Pitch-Battle offers young founders the opportunity to pitch their idea to a large audience and our experienced judges that will give feedback and select a winner.
Six promising startups like last years winner, the business process automation startup Outsmart.ai, will showcase their business models and growth strategies within a three minute time span. After each pitch, the jury has precisely two minutes to ask further questions.
The winning startup is not only determined by the jury’s choice but also by the audience vote.

It is up to you who will be the lucky winner!

Social Pitch Contest

In addition to the Pitch-Battle, Q hosts another exciting Pitch Contest which is solely accessible for social startups, such as last year’s winning startup Pacific Straws.
As social responsibility is one of the Q key topics, the conference fosters entrepreneurs who focus on charitable and sustainable business models.

Workshops

During our conference you will have the chance to participate in skill-building workshops conducted by our conference partners. Those will be aligned to our focus topics and will thus be complementing the issues which are subject to our speeches and panel discussions. A small group size of 15 to 25 people will give each participant the chance to interact intensively with the workshop instructor.

Our Special: The Q-Chem Workshop

In cooperation with the German Startup Association (Bundesverband Deutscher Startups e.V.), promising chemistry startups and reputable corporates, we will host a half day interactive workshop including keynote speeches, discussions and pitches.

The substantial focus of Q Chem lays on the digitalization of the chemical industry and the identification of its new and disruptive business potential. Together with industry experts who will provide all participants hands-on support during the whole workshop, we aim for the creation of new business models. The Q-Chem therefore addresses entrepreneurs, young scientists and motivated students with a background in chemistry, biology, engineering, IT or economics.

It is time to bring entrepreneurship and the chemical industry closer together!

Innovillage

Networking & Discussion
Networking is the heart of Q-Summit.
The Innovillage is the perfect place to foster business relationships and expand your network. During the conference the palace’s courtyard transforms into a “city of tents“ with startups, entrepreneurs and corporations presenting themselves.

You are invited to talk to founders, VCs or representatives of worldwide-known enterprises.

Talent Pitches
At our Talent Pitches companies pitch themselves to convince YOU to join their team. Are you interested in an internship at a dynamic startup? Then this is your chance to get in direct contact with recruiters and ensure your next practical experience.

Pop-up Store
In our Pop-Up Store, selected sustainable fashion startups will showcase their designs. Take the chance to engage in inspiring conversations with the designers and find out more about their motivations and goals.

Chill Out
Take a break in the Innovillage, hang out in the sun and reflect your impressions with other participants. Grab a snack or a freshly brewed coffee and make yourself at home in our lounge area.

Hackathon

You are an imaginative programming genius, data expert or design guru and would like to deepen your skills using a real-life dataset?
Then the Hackathon is the perfect challenge for you!

Immerse yourself in the data universe and develop unique solutions by working together with extraordinary people. In a limited amount of time, each team will create a prototype and pitch the final result to the entire Q-Summit audience on the main stage. The winning team will be rewarded with special prizes.

Our next year’s Hackathon partners are soon to be announced.

As a Hackathon participant you will be granted a free ticket to the Q-Summit 2020! Enjoy two amazing days full of inspiring speeches, workshops and interesting people from the startup scene and established companies.

Our Hackathon is not a mere programming competition, but a celebration of creative development – join us and be part of this unique experience.

The application process will be opened soon.
Subscribe to the newsletter and do not miss the application start.

Speed-Datings

Startup Speed-Dating

This is your chance to get to know several successful startups!
You will be able to talk to founders or CEOs and establish lasting connections. Our startup partners will answer your questions and share business insights in an intimate atmosphere. You are inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit?
Take the chance and apply for an internship at your startup of choice.

Corporate Speed-Dating

Our corporate speed dating is the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself to experienced representatives of our well-known partners in individual one-to-one conversations. They are curious to find out about your personality, interests and career ambition.

Take your chance to convince our partners, that you are the perfect fit for their vacancy! This speed dating session might be the first step to your next interview or internship.

Investor Speed-Dating

The investor speed dating session is open to founders only and aims to connect young promising founders with experienced investors.
You will only have a few minutes to pitch your business model to different investors in a one-to-one conversation and convince them of your potential.
Don’t miss out on the chance to bring your venture to the next level.

Information on the application for our speed-datings will be available soon.

Food & Drinks

Throughout the whole conference we offer a delicious variety of free food, snacks and beverages to ensure your well-being.

We will provide you with a delicious brunch, healthy snacks, a lovely variety of cakes and freshly brewed coffee. Enjoy our yummy lunch in the centre of the Innovillage and a diversified dinner of our exclusive food trucks.

Evening Events

Wine Evening

Enjoy a concert evening with good music, inspiring people and informal networking in a relaxed atmosphere. Reflect your learnings and share your impressions from the first conference day in interesting conversations.
We will offer a variety of local wines and delicious finger food!

The Q-Closing-Party

Let us celebrate two amazing conference days right in the heart of our beautiful castle with an outstanding DJ and a fantastic party atmosphere.
We will provide you with free snacks, drinks and party specials – stay tuned!

Explore the Program
at Q-Summit